Juan Mata RSS feedhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/juan-mata
enHow we didn't decide the 100 best players in the world 2016: Part 2The second insight into the making of our Top 100 list, speaking to the players who made it. Perhapshttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/how-we-didnt-decide-100-best-players-world-2016-part-2
We've counted down thetop 100 footballersin the world as they stand right at this second. We argued for hours over who should make the final 100 and where exactly they should rank, and asked many players and pundits for their opinions too.
And this video is part two of how we completely did NOT decide on the players who should appear in our list. Please note that no footballers were harmed in the making of this video. (And, *sigh*... obviously, this is a fictional story.) Of particular interest, Spurs fans might want to check out how one of their attacking midfielders uses our player liaison officer, while Leicester City star Jamie Vardy gets a mention too. As well as a certain Real Madrid superstar.
You can find part one of How We Didn't Choose The Best 100 Players In The World here.
And our video of what the person on the street makes of our top 100 (and the odd made-up footballer) here.
Agree with our list? Have your say onTwitter,Facebook,Google+andInstagram. We're also on Snapchat: FourFourTwoUK
FourFourTwo’s Best 100 Football Players in the World 2016
featureThu, 08 Dec 2016 12:54:20 +0000Gregor MacGregor660985 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFourFourTwo’s Best 100 Football Players in the World 2016: 100-91Its here! Where does your favourite come in our rankings?http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-best-100-football-players-world-2016-100-91
Welcome, welcome to the 10th edition of the Top 100! Kick off our rundown of the finest players on the planet with the first batch: including a teenage sensation, vital midfield powerhouses and even a Manchester United player…
Find our hub of players, features, videos and more here.
Words:Huw Davies,Greg Lea, Joe Brewin, Tom Kundert, Priya Ramesh, Harriet Drudge
100. Ousmane Dembele
When FFT’s Top 100 list for 2015 was released this time last year, Dembele had appeared in a grand total of three first-team matches since turning professional at Rennes; the fact that the teenager has made the cut this time around is therefore testament to the remarkable progress he’s made in the last 12 months.
A return of 10 goals in 19 Ligue 1 appearances in the first half of 2016 helped Rennes to an 8th-place finish in Ligue 1 and earned the 19-year-old Frenchman a five-year contract with Borussia Dortmund, who reportedly paid €15m to bring the talented forward to Signal Iduna Park. Dembele has featured in 11 of the 12 Bundesliga encounters BVB have contested this season at the time of writing, while he’s also been a regular starter in the Champions League, causing problems for European as well as domestic full-backs with his speed, trickery and direct dribbling. –GL
99. Petr Cech
It was obvious to everyone why Jose Mourinho didn’t want Cech hopping across London to Arsenal in the summer of 2015 – but even he, like Roman Abramovich who’d promised the Czech his move, knew that the Blues’ long-serving goalkeeper of 11 years didn’t deserve to rot on the bench.
Unsurprisingly, the now-34-year-old has proved just why Arsenal fans were so thrilled to sign him after a typically reliable debut campaign in which he kept the most clean sheets of any Premier League goalkeeper (16), saved the third-most shots overall and had a higher save percentage than anyone else (76%)–including from shots within the box (72%). The Gunners may have fallen flat in the title race as soon as late-February, but their shortcomings were hardly Cech’s fault.
His Euro 2016 was disastrous – Czech Republic lost two of their three group games and finished bottom – and Cech promptly retired from international football after the tournament as his country’s all-time caps holder (121). He's still a class act, though – on and off the pitch. –JB
98. Blaise Matuidi
Matuidi may have added another Ligue 1 winner’s medal to his collection with PSG – the fourth of his career – and appeared in all seven of France’s matches at Euro 2016, but the all-action midfielder hasn’t had everything his own way in 2016. The 29-year-old struggled at times during the Euros, with manyBleus supporters calling for him to be dropped from the hosts’ starting line-up, while he’s also been in and out of the PSG team under new boss Unai Emery this season.
Nevertheless, Matuidi remains one of European football’s most complete midfield players, boasting an excellent blend of technical and physical qualities. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the ex-Saint-Etienne star's occasional benching this term is probably a result of Emery’s desire to grant him greater rest periods rather than a reflection of his showings at club level. –GL
97. Hakim Ziyech
For Eredivisiefollowers, it's baffling that Ziyech hasn't received more attention and praise: the 23-year-old has been the best player in the Dutch top flight for the last two years. On his slim shoulders he carried an underperforming Twente – with the KNVB investigating them for the Doyen controversy and relegation looming –and guided them to safety. Ziyech's goals counted for 35 per cent of Twente’s overall total and he was the reference point around whom the whole team functioned.
Many foreign clubs showed some interest in the summer but none made a definitive move, so when Ziyech was the subject of a late bid from Ajax, he made the move – a step up, even if a small one. Not renowned for his stamina, the Moroccan has adapted commendably to the high-intensity football Peter Bosz prefers, and has established himself as the kind of influential figure he was at Twente, even among better team-mates. Defences tend to play deeper against Ajax than he's used to, but this has posed little problem for Ziyech, whose prolific creativity puts him among the elite in terms of numbers.
The likes of Dortmund and Wolfsburg will be back should he maintain his impressive form, while even bigger teams may begin to turn their heads towards the svelte playmaker. –PR
Next: Banished by Chelsea, brilliant elsewhere96. Joao Mario
Equally effective in the centre or on the right, the ever-elegant Mario blossomed into the magnificent footballer Sporting’s coaches always believed he would become in 2016. Combining intelligence, faultless technique and a tireless work-rate, Mario was the driving force behind Sporting’s strongest tilt at the Portuguese title for 15 years –the Lisbon club broke its points record, only to be pipped at the post by Benfica.
Mario’s frustration at missing out on silverware at club level was offset by playing a major role in his country’s historic Euro 2016 triumph. The midfielder featured in each of Portugal’s seven matches, saving his best until last with a superb display in the final as the Seleção stunned the hosts at the Stade de France.
A lucrative move to Inter followed, where the 23-year-old has stood out as one of the few bright spots in the Italian club's turbulent start to the season. –TK
95. Mohamed Salah
Know this, chuckling Chelsea fans and parochial English cynics: in 2016, Salah has scored or assisted 27 goals in 34 Serie A games for Roma. As a winger in a traditionally defensive league, that’s some ratio.
Many Brits know Salah only for unexpectedly rocking up at Stamford Bridge aged 21, having scored in Basel’s two Champions League wins over Chelsea. Foreshadowing his signing of Juan Cuadrado – whose arrival, incidentally, saw Salah loaned to Fiorentina in exchange – Jose Mourinho then had immediate buyer’s remorse and decided to pretend Salah didn’t exist.
Even when we lauded Salah at No.100 last year, it was more in hope than expectation. However, he’s only improved since, adding a consistent goal threat to his direct dribbling game. He’s also shooting for Russia 2018: two early wins, Salah scoring in each, have put Egypt in a great position to reach only their second post-war World Cup ahead of serial attendees Ghana. –H. Davies
94. Ever Banega
His transfer might not have generated as many headlines as moves involving Paul Pogba, Gonzalo Higuain or Mats Hummels, but Banega had as strong a claim as anyone to be recognised as the summer’s finest signingwhen the window closed at the end of August.
After starring in Sevilla’s third consecutive Europa League success – the Argentine ran rings around Liverpool in the final – Inter secured the string-puller’s signature without paying a penny when his contract at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan expired. He’s had a mixed start to his career at San Siro, though, starring on some occasions but struggling on others, and was dropped by new boss Stefano Pioli for November’s derby draw with Milan.
As a wonderfully creative player who’s capable of dictating his team’s tempo and feeding attacking team-mates in dangerous positions, it surely won’t be long before Banega is bossing Serie A midfields. –GL
Next: Age is just a number93. Jonas
Looking back now, it's incredible to think that the 32-year-old goal machine was picked up on a free by Benfica to little fanfare back in summer 2014. After 31 goals in his debut season, he managed to better that total with 36 strikes in all competitions in the following campaign.
His prolific scoring played a huge role in propelling Benfica to another title, but the silky-skilled Brazilian brings far more than just goals to the table. Astute positional awareness allied to a wonderful touch makes him a strike partner any centre-forward would love to play with, as attested by the abundance of goals netted by compatriot Lima and Greek marksman Kostas Mitroglou while playing alongside him.
Jonas was deservedly named Primeira Liga Player of the Year in 2015/16, with a call-up for Brazil capping a remarkable renaissance for a player who seemed finished when he was released by Valencia two years ago. – TK
92. Juan Mata
"One of the most underrated players in the Premier League," so says Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher of Manchester United's Mata.
The 28-year-old’s Old Trafford futurewas cast into serious doubt when the boss who booted him out of Stamford Bridge turned up this summer. How times change: the Spaniard is now flourishing as a regular under Jose Mourinho, with his efforts at club level leading to an international recall after missing out on Euro 2016.
Mourinho sold him once, but he’d be foolish to do so again; despite the inconsistencies of post-Ferguson United, Mata continues to contribute when it matters most. He's scored 10 goals in 2016, three coming in just four appearances in their triumphant FA Cup campaign last season, including the equaliser in the final. He's also undoubtedly a big game player: in his 43 appearances against the ‘Big Six’ since 2011 he's scored 13 times and contributed 10 assists.
Falling 18 places in the rankings this year after a difficult 2015/16, Mata's place perhaps belies his individual performances; he was collateral damage of Louis van Gaal’s turgid tactics and United’s disappointing season overall.–H. Drudge
91. Julian Brandt
Fans of the German national team have their fair share of gifted young players to get excited about, but Bayer Leverkusen’s 20-year-old winger is one of the most talented members of the next generation.
The blond, Bremen-born Brandt became the youngest player since Gerd Muller (who else?) to score in six consecutive Bundesliga games when he scored against Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, Cologne, Eintracht Frankfurt, Schalke and Hertha Berlin in March and April, while his performances throughout the year had him nominated for the Golden Boy award won by Renato Sanches.
Brandt is the perfect player for Roger Schmidt’s high-intensity style of play: a strong runner who’s most dangerous when cutting infield from the left flank onto his right foot, the four-time Germany international possesses terrific technique and creativity in abundance. –GL
The list
100-91•90-81•80-71•70-61•60-51•50-41•40-31•30-26•25•24•23•22•21•20•19•18•17•16•15•14•13•12•11•10•9•8•7•6•5•4•3•2•1
FourFourTwo’s Best 100 Football Players in the World 2016
featureMon, 28 Nov 2016 15:00:39 +0000Gregor MacGregor655723 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRevealed: The Premier League's 10 best free-kick takers since 2013Weve crunched the numbers to work out which players are the leading dead-ball specialists in Englands top flightGreg Leahttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/revealed-premier-leagues-10-best-free-kick-takers-2013
Is there anything more beautiful in football than a goal from a direct free-kick? We at FFTcertainly don't think so, which is why we've compiled this list of the Premier League's best free-kick takers based on Opta data.
Players are first ranked on the number of free-kicks they've scored between the start of the 2013/14 campaign and 2 October this year, then on their success rate (Jermaine Pennant and Alvaro Negredo would be joint-winners if we listed players on this alone, with each having scored one goal from one attempt).
Simply read, watch and enjoy...
10. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Goals: 3Attempts: 29(one every 9.67 attempts)
Three of Rooney's 38 Premier League goals in this period have come from free-kicks, enough to secure the Manchester United captain a spot in the top 10. He may no longer be guaranteed a place in the Red Devils' starting line-up, but Rooney's proved over the years that he's one of the most reliable free-kick takers in the country.
9. Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Goals: 3Attempts: 28(one every 9.33 attempts)
Suarez makes the cut despite the fact he leftLiverpool for Barcelona over two years ago. The Uruguay international's 28 attempts in the 2013/14 campaign is more than any other player's managed in a single season since then, with Suarez making the net bulge from three of those efforts.
Suarez scores against Hull
8. Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
Goals: 3Attempts: 27(one every 9 attempts)
Mirallas endured a frustrating last term at Goodison Park, with the Belgian limited to just 10 Premier League starts and six direct free-kick attempts. His record in the two previous years - three goals from 21 shots - is good enough to earn him a place on this list, though.
8. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
Goals: 3Attempts:27(one every 9 attempts)
Arsenal forward Sanchez has the exact same record as Mirallas, scoring three times from 27 efforts on goal. The Chilean specialises in closer-range shots, usually caressing the ball with the inside of his foot in an attempt to bend it over the wall and into the top corner.
6. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Goals: 3Attempts: 20(one every 6.67 attempts)
Gerrard scored a total of eight free-kicks in his Liverpool career, three of which came in the Premier League in 2013/14 and 2014/15. The former Reds skipper was able to combine lethal power with pinpoint accuracy, a mix which made his efforts particularly hard to keep out when they were on target.
Gerrard gives Liverpool the lead against Everton in 2014
5. Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace)
Goals: 3Attempts: 9(one every 3 attempts)
Puncheon's tremendous conversion rate makes it somewhat puzzling that he's only had a shot at goal from nine free-kicks in the last three years. The Palace midfielder clearly isn't afraid to test himself against the big boys: his three successes since joining the club in 2013 have come against Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City.
4. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea)
Goals: 4 Attempts: 32 (one every 8 attempts)
Sigurdsson is one of the Premier League's foremost free-kick specialists, scoring four times since August 2013. His best and most memorable strike came against Arsenal in November 2014, when the Icelander punished a Kieran Gibbs foul on team-mate Modou Barrow by curling the ball past Wojciech Szczesny from 25 yards.
3. Yaya Toure (Man City)
Goals: 4Attempts: 23(one every 5.75 attempts)
All of Toure's four goals in this period came in 2013/14, when the Manchester City midfielder had a staggering 57 per cent success rate. The Ivory Coast international manages to generate a great deal of whip on his free-kicks, with despairing goalkeepers often finding themselves unable to reach the ball as it curves agonisingly away from them.
Toure bends one in against Newcastle
2. Juan Mata (Man Utd)
Goals: 4Attempts: 18(one every 4.5 attempts)
Mata's goals-to-attempts ratio is one of the best in the Premier League, with the left-footed playmaker requiring - on average - fewer than five shots to score since the 2013/14 season got under way. While the Spaniard tends not to get too much power on his strikes, preferring instead to stroke the ball with his instep, they can be virtually impossible to stop when he gets it right.
1. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
Goals: 6Attempts: 61(one every 10.17 attempts)
Spurs' Danish playmaker is officially the highest-scoring free-kick taker in the Premier League since he arrived in the division at the start of the 2013/14 campaign. Eriksen possesses brilliant technique from set-play situations, with the 24-year-old able to get significant dip and bend on the ball as a result of the way he strikes it.
New features you'd like every day on FourFourTwo.com
featureFri, 11 Nov 2016 18:00:14 +0000Greg Lea649429 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com16 FIFA glitches that actually happened in real lifeJames Maw lists moments when real life football seemed like something out of FIFA or PES - and not in a good way...James Mawhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/16-fifa-glitches-actually-happened-real-life
1. Ghost 1-0 Bailly
Supernatural forces at work, or was Manchester United's summer signing just playing with a lead weight around his neck?
A ghost pulled Bailly to the ground... https://t.co/lJzeGRQrFy
— Football Stuff (@FootbalIStuff) October 2, 2016
2. Timing is everything
Raheem Sterling thinks he's down with the kids– but someone should probably tell him that you don't just dab willy-nilly.
Don't think Sterling knows the right time to dab. pic.twitter.com/kbv9JBYNXN
— P. (@Unitedesque) October 2, 2016
3. Foul, ref!
Surely...
Un clásico glitch de #FIFA en la vida real. pic.twitter.com/DIR9FLiquQ
— Estadio (@estadioec) May 9, 2016
4. Xabi Alonso ghosts in
We should have known all along that those Bayern Munich passing stats of his were all a con. Look, he's not even a human being.
5. Heads, shoulders, knees and toes
KNEES AND TOES!
6. Sissoko's no-look header
Moussa Sissoko certainly wouldn't be the first player to head the ball with his eye closed, but not many player can have nodded one away while looking in completely the opposite direction. That's just so unrealistic...
7. Madrid malfunction
"No, I'M throwing it..."
8. Chelsea are broken
This is just weird...
9. Sol Campbell's never-ending tackle
No, not like that. The former Notts County defender must have feared for his life during England's infamous Wembley defeat to Croatia in 2007. The same downpour that saw Steve McClaren reach for his brolly also caused the former Tottenham and Arsenal defender to slide on his ample rump for about seven minutes...
10. CR7 takes to the skies
While Campbell spent an age on the deck, Cristiano Ronaldo got some gnarly hang-time in Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Manchester United in 2012/13...
11. Heads up!
Another header - this time from Bayern Munich's 1975 European Cup SemiFfinal second leg against Saint-Etienne. Witness both the wall jumping ludicrously early, and the defender heading the ball freakishly high into the Munich sky.
12. Van der Vaart's brain faart
Questionable AI has been a problem that has plagued football games since the dawn of time. Rafael van der Vaart strikes FFT as quite an intelligent footballer (he left Tottenham at the right time, let's face it), but we're not quite sure what he was thinking here...
13. Man (and man and man) to man marking
Here's another bout of dodgy AI, as four defenders all brainlessly chase one player (Brazilian playmaker Denilson)...
14. KEEEEEEEPER'S!!!
Yeah, you've got it covered mate...
15. Getting the runaround
Ever had a smug mate take the Michael by bringing his keeper out and taking on half your team? This eerily grainy video will haunt your dreams...
16. Chris Wood has some neck on him
This is really the kind of thing that only happens in a video game. Or in this case, in real life...
More FIFA 17 on FourFourTwo.com • New features every day
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featureMon, 03 Oct 2016 10:18:32 +0000James Maw142948 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFourFourTwo’s tactical review: Man United minus Rooney, Arsene vs Diego Costa, lopsided Man CityThore Haugstad uses Stats Zone to report four trends from the weekends big Premier League fixturesThore Haugstadhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-tactical-review-man-united-minus-rooney-arsene-vs-diego-costa-lopsided-man
Common sense can go a long way. Many pundits and analysts had long encouraged Jose Mourinho to drop Wayne Rooney, and when the Portuguese did so he was rewarded with an efficient playmaking display from Juan Mata and a 4-1 win over Leicester.
At the Emirates, Arsene Wenger devised a plan to stop Diego Costa that helped record his first win over Chelsea in five years. Pep Guardiola saw his lopsided system earn a 3-1 win at Swansea, while Claude Puel’s 4-4-2 diamond led Southampton to beat West Ham.
1. Subtle Mata provides missing link
In one sense, there was a danger of over-dramatising the effect of Rooney’s absence for Manchester Unitedon Saturday. The 4-0 half-time scoreline suggested dramatic improvement, yet the hosts hadn't looked convincing in the first 20 minutes and relied more on their full-backs flying forward than on fluent combinations between the lines. When they did subsequently turn on the style, the return of long-lost confidence seemed to play a significant part.
Still, the Rooney debate was inescapable given how well Mata played. Many had expected Mourinho to go 4-3-3 and give Paul Pogba a more advanced role once the call on Rooney had been made, but instead Mata was used behind the striker and the 4-2-3-1 retained. It proved a wise call.
While Pogba drew more attention, Mata was quietly involved in almost every productive move. He exchanges some of the passes that led to Pogba unleashing a stinging 30-yard drive, before turning the spotlight on himself when cutting through the Leicester team to make it 2-0, having combined neatly with Pogba and Jesse Lingard. For the third goal, it was Mata who stretched play down the left and allowed Marcus Rashford to win the corner, which Mata himself extended to Rashford.
Mata then popped up on the left again to ignite the build-up play that brought the corner headed in by Pogba. This was the kind of playmaking United had been missing from the No.10 position.
BACK OF THE NETRooney shines in new position on bench
2. Tough-tackling Arsenal frustrate Costa
Chelsea lost at the Emirates through individual errors, but another part of the game was how Arsenal silenced Diego Costa, who had scored twice and triggered two red cards in his three previous games against the Gunners. The normal dynamic had been for Costa to draw the defence out of shape with runs down the channels, but this time Arsenal managed to keep him at bay.
Part of the reason centred on Antonio Conte’s insistence that his strikers drop deep and bring others into play. It was a common feature at the Euros, but there Italy had dynamic midfielders who ran beyond the two strikers and offered options. The same was not provided by Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic, and so Costa was largely limited to laying the ball off in deep positions.
Alternatively Costa would dribble or get fouled, with Arsenal happy to risk committing free-kicks near the halfway line. So roughly did Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi treat him that Costa threw a tantrum in the second half over the persistent fouling. That only meant Arsenal had done their job in keeping him away from goal, and Costa left the field with no attempts on goal and no chances created.
3. Lopsided system benefits De Bruyne
In Wales, Guardiola reacted to Nolito’s suspension by switching Kevin De Bruyne to the right flank of his 4-1-4-1. Or so it seemed. When the game got going, it turned out De Bruyne was actually playing his usual role as an advanced central playmaker, with Bacary Sagna stationed as a wing-back to retain the width usually provided by Raheem Sterling down the right.
With Sterling stretching play on the left instead, Guardiola instructed left-back Aleksandar Kolarov to play more cautiously. The Serb often tucked inside next to the two centre-backs to give Manchester City a three-man defence when they attacked. This provided Guardiola with two wide players in Sterling and Sagna, while David Silva and De Bruyne could continue to operate centrally as per usual.
The tweak created advantages and disadvantages. Sergio Aguero’s clinical opener came after a cross from Sagna, but the same defender slipped when Fernando Llorente smashed home the equaliser, and was then booked when forced to foul Kyle Naughton after getting caught out of position. Still, Sagna’s role created more good than bad, particularly since it allowed De Bruyne to collect a series of passes in dangerous areas centrally.
In fact, only wasteful play from the normally incisive Belgian had prevented City from scoring more by the time Sagna’s cross led to a penalty converted by Aguero. Near the hour mark, Guardiola switched De Bruyne to a permanent central role, before Sterling made it 3-1 on the break. “We created a lot of chances so that Kevin and David were at times attacking the central defenders with the ball,” Guardiola said. “When that happens it makes it more complicated for the opponents so we did that well, but just missed the final pass.”
4. Southampton shine in midfield diamond
On Sunday, Claude Puel secured a second straight league win with his 4-4-2 diamond shape. The system is not often seen in the Premier League, but offers a lot of fluency in the final third, where Dusan Tadic operates as an advanced playmaker behind Charlie Austin and winger-turned-striker Nathan Redmond. The three often exchange positions, as they did in the 40th minute against West Ham, when Tadic found Ryan Bertrand down the left who then crossed to Austin for the opener.
While Puel’s full-backs are crucial in retaining width, Redmond is also charged with working the flanks and drawing defenders out of position. This invites Tadic to exploits pockets of space in the middle, and he got a chance near the penalty spot in this way when played in by Cedric Soares. He missed it, but soon got another opportunity when Austin found him unmarked inside the box for 2-0.
That was one of three instances in which Tadic recorded attempts from central positions, and showed how dangerous the Saints can be with proper cohesion between the front three.
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New features every day on FourFourTwo.com•More analysis
featureMon, 26 Sep 2016 15:16:17 +0000Joe Brewin631703 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBest of the Premier League weekend: FFT's favourite performance, player... and moanFourFourTwo.coms latest wrap of the week that was, with Arsene Wenger given a fitting tribute and further cracks emerging for Antonio Contes ChelseaSeb Stafford-Bloorhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/best-premier-league-weekend-ffts-favourite-performance-player-and-moan
Performance of the Weekend – Arsenal (vs Chelsea)
That is what Arsenal are supposed to look like.Despite itsmodern scowl, footballis still capable of producing heartening moments which feel symmetrical and right. On the 20th anniversary ofArsene Wenger'sarrival, it was fitting that heshould oversee a performance which, on that day at least, vindicated his often-maligned approach. Wenger is perceived as British football's flawed ideologue and has spent much of the last decade being pelted with derisory accusations. His teams are soft and imbalanced, his transfer strategy ponderous and ineffective. And how many times have those old grievances been stoked by a galling loss to Chelsea?
Chelsea, who he hadn't beaten in nine league attempts. Chelsea, who always, whatever the circumstances, seem able to trample on his delicate philosophies.
Not this weekend, though. Antonio Conte's team may have arrived in north London riddled with uncertainty and ripe for plucking, but their inadequacies shouldn't disguise how brilliant Arsenal actually were. Theirs was a performance of consummate swagger, dashed with pace, imagination, accuracy and resilience. Gary Cahillushered them on their way on Saturday evening with ahorrendous error, but they were able to multiplyand channel that momentum into a lethal first-half performance.
Some time ago, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville spoke of playing Arsenal during their ‘Invincibles’ pomp and how, at their very best, the attacking players' movement and use of the ball would leave an opposing defender dizzy.Times have changed, of course, but this looked every bit the situation Neville was describing: every one of Chelsea's frailties were explored and exposed during that first 45 minutes and with each goal conceded they sunk further into chaos.
Post-match, it was a period which Wenger would describe as "nearly perfect", and quite rightly so. However, Arsenal have rarely been short of styleand even during their annual dips they play with a flourish. So the novelty this weekend was their stubbornness. The gamemay have essentially been won before the second half even began, but there was never even the slightest sense that Chelsea were a danger.
Arsenal possess an unwanted reputation – they are, slightly unfairly, tagged as a teamcapable of throwing away even the most sizeable lead. But there was no wobble here. There was no drop in concentration and neither were there any obvious fragilities. Their past with Chelsea is haunted and so, even at 3-0, the visiting players, fans and most of those watching at home would have expected a stumble or two. But, the late Michy Batshuayi chance aside, it never came. Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi looked a true, imposing partnershipand the whole of the defensive unit admirablyresistedChelsea'sintentionsof penetrating the half-spaces around the penalty-box.
Eden Hazard made no impression on the game, Cesc Fabregas was withdrawn having been a bystander and even the snarling Diego Costa, so oftena defining factor in this fixture, washeld comfortably at arm's length.
Yes, Arsenal were attractivewith the ball and played with the usual pretty panache, butthey wereorganised and defiant without it, too.It might not have any long-term significance and individual wins shouldn't lead to broader discussions about titles or trophies, but howappropriatethat Wenger's team should markhisday by playing football as he imagines it – and for that not to be a punchline.
Goal of the Weekend – Juan Mata (for Manchester United vs Leicester)
Eesh, how pretty was that?
Football, as Al Pacino said in Any Given Sunday, is a game of inches. He may have been talking about a different sport, but so be it: here was further proof. At the end of a move which involved all 10 outfield players, the combination between Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata was quite wonderful. The game is generally at its mostappealingwhen talented players make complicated moves look simple, and this was that: the perfectly weighted chip by Pogba, the precise lay-off by Lingard, and the lashed finished by Mata.Individually, none of those phases were particularly remarkable, butknittedtogether they created an infinitely watchable passage of play.
As a side note, it was interesting to see the urgency of Manchester United at the beginning of that move. Under Louis van Gaal, United became extremely lateral and easy to defend against, oftenplaying their own way into cul-de-sacs. This was markedly different, though. This was vertical, penetrating football anda soothing antidote to last season's perpetual stasis.
Player of the Weekend – Mesut Ozil
One moment from Ozil's performance stood out above all others and it came at the beginning of the move which led to Arsenal's third goal. Receiving a short pass from Koscielny, he pirouetted around N'Golo Kante to launch the counter-attackfrom which he himself would score.Very few players do that to Kante; fewer still make it look so effortless.
It was a little touch which helped create something much bigger andcharacterisedthe role he played on Saturday night. While often accused of vanishing in important games, that's really an indication of how misunderstood he often is.He is a garnishing player rather than a structural one and someone who exists on the pitch to complementthose around him.He is not dynamic and, although he accumulates plenty of assists, his influence is most often felt in the tone and feel of a game rather than in its highlights.He isessentiallythe anti-Alexis Sanchez: a plotter, facilitator and a mover of the attacking focus. The Kante moment aside and beyond his half-completinggoal, he spent the evening probing at Chelsea's structural weaknesses, identifying space in front of and around the visiting defence and then pushing and prodding his team-mates into it.
At his very best, Ozil floats through games. He dances nonchalantly into the play, sets its rhythm, and thendriftsaway. That was the Ozil that Chelsea encountered: the ethereal one who can't really be touched. In that kind of form, heevaluates opportunities quicker than any other player on the pitch and none of Conte's back six got remotely close to subduing him.
It was bittersweet, though.That game was both a vivid portrayal of his worthand yetalso a reminder of why he attracts such derision. Even in the fiercest games, heappears languid and in opposition to the British audience's narrow definition of commitment. That means, inevitably, that some will always choose to frame his cavalier excellence as disinterest. But look closer at his performance this weekend: he glowed. His timing, his decisions and his execution were all near-perfect and even when he appeared to be on the game's periphery, he was actually its central character.
Moan of the Week – the deeper issues at Chelsea
In David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic have a friend for life.Chelsea are creaking and their defence is a mess.Ivanovic hasplummeted toa new athletic nadir and Cahill, without John Terry alongside him, often looks disorientated (in truth, he did alongside Terry anyway). Both were dreadful against Swansea, neither improved against Liverpool, and they were again calamitous at the Emirates on Saturday.Yet, because of his past follies and distinctive appearance, Luiz remains themost common fall guy.
The Brazilian has his obvious flaws and nobody would describe him as a calming influence, butChelsea's woes are being far too readily attributed to thosequirks. He is a symptom rather than a cause and, actually, is being used as an excuse not to discuss some of the club's infrastructural issues.
Beyond legitimate points about Luiz's haphazard positioning, there are more serious criticisms to be aimed at long-standing players who have passed their sell-by dates and, ultimately, at Michael Emenalo, the technical director. Chelsea's recruitment has been rotten over the past few seasons and this defence, like Luiz, is the consequence. He was the final available option on deadline day and wasreflexively signed to fill ahole that he didn't fit. How can that be? How can a club owned by Roman Abramovich and managed by one of the game's elite coaches be limited to making clumsy lunges in the final hours of the transfer window?
The old accusation levelled at Emenalo related to his near-exclusive focus onattacking players. Over time, that was revealed as an imaginative approach to combating the Financial Fair Play regulations and an attempt to stockpile a range of appreciating assets. Several years on, though, how has nothing changed? Why, despite suffering the ignominies of 2015/16, does this side still look so imbalanced?
Be it complacency, oversight or a refusal to acknowledge glaring deficiencies, Chelsea are now paying for a failure to properly equip their first team.
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featureMon, 26 Sep 2016 08:44:08 +0000Joe Brewin631614 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com10 shocking substitutions, feat. Lineker, Gerrard and a mouthy West Ham fanAfter Juan Mata was controversially hooked by Jose Mourinho just 30 minutes after coming on inSundays Community Shield, Tim Ellis picks out 10 other memorable changes...Tim Ellishttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/10-shocking-substitutions-feat-lineker-gerrard-and-a-mouthy-west-ham-fan
1. Delio Rossi packs a punch, Fiorentina vs Novara 2012
In 2012, Fiorentina sacked manager Delio Rossi for throwing punches at Adem Ljajic - his own player - after the ex-Manchester United trialist sarcastically applauded the decision to rope him off against Novara.
"I've made a mistake and I will pay for it," Rossi said afterwards. "My gesture was ugly, disgraceful and I am very saddened. I have never allowed myself to hit anyone, not even my children."
The authorities weren't swayed by the “emotional tension generated by the delicate situation of the team”, so Rossi was banned for three months following the incident. The liberated Viola secured Serie A safety without him, beating Lecce the very next week.
2. The Tranmere 10 becomes 11, Tranmere vs Sunderland 2000
First Division giantkillers Tranmere added Sunderland to their list of scalps in the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2000, having previously overcome West Ham, Middlesbrough and Coventry in domestic knockout football.
There was more than a hint of controversy to their victory over the Black Cats, though: defender Clint Hill was red-carded in injury time, only to be replaced by Stephen Frail seconds later.
Sunderland boss Peter Reid wasn't happy. "It was like Billy Smart's circus out there... I don't like talking about officials instead of football - but someone has made a major error," he fumed, talking about officials instead of football.
Hill gets sent off, Frail comes on anyway
3. ‘Arry makes West Ham fan happy as Larry, West Ham vs Oxford City 1994
Fed up of receiving criticism from loudmouth West Ham fan Steve Davies during a pre-season friendly against Oxford City, Hammers boss Harry Redknapp decided to send the supporter - who claimed he could do a better job than his side's striker Lee Chapman - on as a substitute in the second half.
Davies took to the pitch just minutes after sucking on a cigarette and swigging from a bottle in the away end. His Roy of the Rovers moment duly arrived in the 71st minute, the courier from Milton Keynes belting the ball past the veteran Oxford keeper.
"It was like time stopped still - it was the greatest moment of my life," Davies said afterwards. Even 'Arry admitted he was better than Chapman on the night.
4. Graham Taylor ends Lineker's career crisp-ly, Sweden vs England 1992
Gary Lineker was just two away from a half-century of international goals, and one behind the legendary Bobby Charlton, when Graham Taylor substituted him for Alan Smith with 30 minutes still remaining in this pivotal European Championship tie. Lineker never played for the Three Lions again.
"I took a lot of stick over that but I will maintain, until the day I die, that was a purely footballing decision," Taylor insisted. Lineker was apoplectic at the time but mellowed when he saw the fallout: “He probably did me a favour by making me a martyr. We were a pretty crappy team, probably England’s worst of recent times," he said last year, before watching Roy Hodgson's rabble lose to a nation the size of Coventry with a part-time dentist as its manager.
5. Psycho makes a mug out of Macken, Manchester City vs Middlesbrough 2005
This final-day encounter was essentially a play-off for the final UEFA Cup spot, with Manchester City needing to win and Boro able to draw to secure qualification. The scores were level at 1-1 when Stuart Pearce sent City keeper David James up front in the closing minutes as his side searched for a goal, with midfielder Claudio Reyna taken off for substitute shot-stopper Nicky Weaver.
It was all quite embarrassing for Jon Macken, the striker who was left on the bench as James bumbled around up top. The wacky idea did help win City a penalty in injury time, though, but Mark Schwarzer saved from Robbie Fowler to earn Boro their place in Europe.
6. LvG's keeper swap shop, Holland vs Costa Rica 2014
When his Dutch team hammered Spain 5-1 at the World Cup in Brazil, Manchester United fans must have been pining for new boss Louis Van Gaal. How time flies...
The Netherlands had to rely on penalties to beat Costa Rica in the quarter-finals, with Van Gaal creating a major talking point by replacing his goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen in the last minute of extra time. Tim Krul entered the fray and saved two spot-kicks in the shoot-out as the Dutch reached the last four.
Van Gaal wanted to repeat the trick in the semi-final against Argentina but found the rules were against him. "I would have done it again but I'd already used my three substitutions," the 62-year-old sighed.
Cillessen off, Krul on
7. Matthaus removed and Munich pay, Manchester United vs Bayern Munich 1999
Bayern Munich were thrashing United 1-0 in the Champions League final when the ageing but effective Lothar Matthaus was withdrawn for Thorsten Fink 10 minutes from time. What happened next was scarcely believable as Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struck late to steal the Red Devils' second European Cup and leave the Germans stunned.
"If I was Matthaus, I would've played that game until the last drop of my blood," a dejected Sammy Kuffour said. "It was Champions League final... him staying on the field would have changed our game."
8. Reds Czech out of Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen vs Liverpool 2002
Champions League football returned to Anfield in 2001/02 after the previous season’s glorious treble, and Gerard Houllier's men travelled to Bayer Leverkusen with one foot in the semi-finals.
The Reds took a 1-0 lead to Germany and, with 29 minutes remaining, held a 2-1 aggregate lead. Houllier then bafflingly took off holding midfielder Didi Hamann in favour of Vladimir Smicer, a move which helped Leverkusen score twice and set up a last-four tie with Manchester United. Oops.
9. Mourinho makes triple espresso exit, Newcastle vs Chelsea 2005
Almost everything the Special One touched turned to gold in his first season at Chelsea, so it was almost startling when his triple change against Newcastle. The Blues were trailing 1-0 in the last 16 of the FA Cup when the Portuguese span the roulette wheel and made a trio of substitutions at half-time, introducing Damien Duff, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Frank Lampard.
The move backfired: Wayne Bridge was stretchered off soon after the restart, and Duff became a passenger after picking up a knock. Carlo Cudicini was later sent off to conclude a thoroughly miserable afternoon, with William Gallas left limping in the final few minutes. "Sometimes you lose and you're still very proud of the team," Mourinho said afterwards. Or, in this case, half a team.
10. Stevie sees red after being caged by Brendan, Liverpool vs Manchester United 2015
Having collected 33 points from a possible 39 in their last 13 Premier League encounters, Liverpool were on the up as they attempted to overhaul Manchester United in the final Champions League slot. Brendan Rodgers controversially opted to leave Steven Gerrard, in his swansong season, on the bench, and Liverpool were subsequently pulled apart as they relied on the featherweight Adam Lallana and Joe Allen to boss the midfield.
Rodgers probably told Gerrard to put his foot in when he was introduced at the break, but the skipper took the instruction too literally: 38 seconds after entering the fray, he was sent off for stamping on Ander Herrera. United won 2-1 to all but end Liverpool's hopes of a top-four finish.
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featureTue, 09 Aug 2016 12:29:53 +0000Greg Lea611411 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRated! The Manchester United players Jose should sell - and who he must keepPaul Pogbas attracted most of the headlines related to Uniteds transfer business this summer, but theres also likely to be some departures from Old Trafford this month. Scott Patterson runs the rule over the Red Devils squad...Republik of Mancuniahttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/rated-manchester-united-players-jose-should-sell-and-who-he-must-keep
1. Bastian Schweinsteiger
When Bayern Munich allowed Schweinsteiger to join Manchester United for just £6.5 million last summer, it should have been clear something was awry. The German arrived at Old Trafford looking overweight and, while there were a few positive moments from his debut season, repeated injuries meant he never really built up any momentum.
It's clear Schweinsteiger's best days are behind him, but given that United have lost so many leaders in recent years they should keep the experienced campaigner around for at least another seasons.
When he did get out on the pitch in 2015/16, Schweinsteiger was constantly instructing those around him, while he's clearly a positive influence off the field too. As Sami Khedira said before the Euros: "Bastian is our captain, it doesn’t change anything if I wear the captain’s armband or not."
However, while the United careers of some players are still up in the air, Mourinho has made it clear that Schweinsteiger's future lies away from the club.
What should Mourinho do? Keep
Schweinsteiger scores against Leicester
2. Adnan Januzaj
Januzaj was a ray of sunshine in what was otherwise a dark and stormy season in 2013/14, when United finished seventh under David Moyes. He even earned himself a couple of well-crafted chants from impressed supporters on the terraces.
Things have gone downhill for the Belgian since then, though, with Louis van Gaal sending him out on loan toBorussia Dortmundlast term. After his attitude was questioned in Germany, Januzaj returned halfway through the season having barely featured for Thomas Tuchel's charges.
The 21-year-old has bags of potential and could still come good, meaning it would be premature to let him go on a permanent basis. A loan deal, however, would allow him some valuable playing time and allow United to monitor his progress on the pitch: if he thrives at another Premier League club for a year, bring him back; if he doesn't cut the mustard, wave goodbye.
What should Mourinho do? Loan
3. Daley Blind
Many of Van Gaal's signings have been a disappointment at Old Trafford, but Blind doesn't fall into that category. The Dutchman had a solid first season at the club before pushing on last term, despite being moved to a then-unfamiliar centre-back role.
While Blind's versatility - he's played at left-back, centre-half and in central midfielder - would be considered a virtue by many, Mourinho's already made it clear he prefers players with a defined role.
“I am more a manager that likes specialists and not so much the multi-functional players because I am very clear in my approach,” he said last month.“Multi-functional players are like one or two, when you are in trouble you need someone who can fill, but basically I want specialists.”
That doesn't necessarily bode well for Blind in terms of earning a starting spot, but he'd certainly be a good squad player for Mourinho in the season to come.
What should Mourinho do? Keep
4. James Wilson
Wilson's career got off to a brilliant start, the striker scoring two goals on his debut while playing for his boyhood hero, Ryan Giggs. Van Gaal subsequently overlooked the youngster, though, with rumours circulating that Giggs was less than impressed with the Dutchman's decision.
Wilson will feel particularly hard done by given the success of Marcus Rashford, whom he was once ahead of in the United pecking order. While Rashford was living the dream, scoring winning goals against Arsenal,Manchester Cityand West Ham and earning a call-up to England's Euro 2016 squad, Wilson was on loan at Brighton - where he managed only five goals in 27 appearances - in the second tier.
Wilson's even more unlikely to benefit from regular action at Old Trafford given the abundance of attacking options Mourinho has to choose from. It's still too early to write him off, though, and another temporary move should do him good.
What should Mourinho do? Loan.
Wilson nets against Hull two years ago
5. Marcos Rojo
Rojo was a poor buy and has done little to warrant his place in the squad for the 2016/17 campaign, particularly now that Luke Shaw has returned to full fitness.
Rojo marshalled Kevin De Bruyne brilliantly in his first Manchester derby for United, but that performance proved to be the exception rather than the norm. At £16 million, Rojo wasn't the biggest disaster imaginable, but the signing has clearly not worked out and United should set about trying to recoup as much as they can for the Argentina international.
Who should Mourinho do? Bin
6. Marouane Fellaini
Fellaini's endured a tougher time at Old Trafford than he probably deserved: it wasn't his fault Moyes brought him to United, nor that Van Gaal frequently played him out of position. In his time at the club he scored against City,Tottenham Hotspurand West Ham, as well as the crucial opener in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton.
Fellaini may have excellent chest control, but he doesn't carry enough value even as a squad player. Moyes wants him at Sunderland but the Belgian might fancy breaking the association with his former manager at Everton and United and moving elsewhere.
What should Mourinho do? Bin
7. Juan Mata
Most United players probably celebrated when they heard Mourinho was replacing Van Gaal at the helm, but Mata may have greeted the news with a little less excitement. The former Barcelona boss may have played him out of position for two years, but Mata still recorded a better goalscoring record than he had atChelsea, where he was named Player of the Year two seasons running.
Mourinho was the manager who sold him to United back then and has never seemed to be a big fan of the languid Spaniard. Mata's been one of the standout players this pre-season, however, and still has plenty to offer even if he's not first-choice attacking midfielder.
If being a bloody nice bloke isn't reason enough to keep him around, the fact he can produce brilliant moments of skill, take a mean set-piece and score a decent amount of goals should be.
What should Mourinho do? Keep
8. Andreas Pereira
Pereira was criminally overlooked by Van Gaal, despite scoring an excellent free-kick on his full debut. Having only turned 20 earlier this year, he's consistently shown ability beyond his age and could be one for the future at Old Trafford.
He obviously won't be a starter this season sending him out on loan would be a waste for United: a player with his talent should be on the bench whenever possible, ready to enter the fray and change a game with a moment of magic.
What should Mourinho do? Keep
Pereira's free-kick against Ipswich
9. Will Keane
Will Keane’s identical twin brother, Michael, gave up on the United dream 18 months ago, joining Burnley and helping the club to promotion in 2015/16 after their relegation from the top flight the previous year.
Will remains at Old Trafford, meanwhile, although he's now 23 and still has only two league appearances to his name. A lengthy injury which sidelined him for a year certainly didn't help, but he's hardly set the world on light when out on loan either.
Keane was once a great prospect, winning the Young Player of the Year award six years ago, but his long-term career won’t be at Old Trafford.
What should Mourinho do? Bin
More features every day on FFT.com
featureFri, 05 Aug 2016 17:28:43 +0000Greg Lea609835 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comIn the mag: Season Preview 2016/17! Vidic One-on-One! 81 things we want from the new season!Its that time again. The Season Preview edition of FourFourTwo is here, available in print, andon iPad and iPhonefrom Wednesday August 3...http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/mag-season-preview-201617-vidic-one-one-81-things-we-want-new-season
Is it really that time again? It feels like only yesterday that Wes Morgan and King Claudio were lifting the Premier League trophy and Jamie Vardy was havin’ a party. Leicester City, Premier League champions? You obviously read it in the FourFourTwo Season Preview 2015/16 first –our predictions were all spot on…
We’re gluttons for punishment (aka being called out on Twitter by you lovely lot), so we’re back with our previews, predictions and 81 –yes, EIGHTY-ONE –things we’d like to see during the 2016/17 season.
There’s even a dedicated page with space for you to take us on with your own predictions. As always, we want to hear from you. Have we missed a dead cert for relegation or overestimated what certain teams will achieve with their new managers at the helm? (We’re looking at you, Manchester).
Oh, and you may notice that we’ve had a bit of a facelift. All hail the FFT re-design. New season, new look.
So… 12 months ago, all we asked for was a season better than the turgid campaign before it. Our prayer came true –and how! After an unforgettable 2015/16, we’ve been slightly more ambitious. From Pep vsJose to young stars and mad mascots, behold: it’s the FourFourTwo 2016/17 wishlist, featuring interviews with Arsenal’s new hope Alex Iwobi, Manchester City hotshot Kelechi Iheanacho, Brighton’s returning hero Glenn Murray, Huddersfield’s Klopp 2.0 David Wagner, West Ham wideman Michail Antonio, Barcelona superstar Neymar, Liverpool hitman Firmino and… Partick Thistle mascot (yes, thatmascot)Kingsley.
Another thing we could have added to our list of things we’d like to see in 2016/17 –the re-emergence of top-class centre-backs. Instead, we chose to catch up with a Premier League legend renowned for his no-nonsense defending and tough tackling –former Manchester United captain, Nemanja Vidic. He answers your questions about joining the army, whether he nearly signed for Liverpool and that chant.
Also in Upfront, we meet the teenage striker who’s the brightest young Brazilian around right now: Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa; Shaun Bartlett recalls his 2001 super strike against Leicester in Great Goals Retold; and we Ask A Silly Question to Paul ‘Incy Wincy’ Ince.
Encased in tradition, steeped in folklore and blanketed by secrecy so watertight that footballers take a vow of silence that’s still active decades later… half-time team talks. But how much difference do they really make? We asked the question…
Mud, sweat and beers the night before –the themes of Sunday League football are near universal. Photographer Chris Baker talks us through how he captured them for his new book, Sunday Football.
The popular perception of professional footballers as pampered prima donna is over-simplistic and wrong… except when it isn’t. We delve inside the secret lives of football’s ‘Yes Men’ –the player liaisons who must cater to their every whim.
Your club has been linked with a player (or seven) but you’ve never heard of the bloke. Well, there’s only one thing for it… fire up the Wiki. But who the heck is updating that goal tally? And more importantly, why?! We meet the men making the footballpages of Wikipedia bang up to date.
Action Replay takes us back to the late ‘60s and the blossoming of footballers opening their own shops. From boutiques to sports stores, it all began with Bestie in a Deansgate backstreet...
InPerformance, Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata reveals how to give big defenders the slip, we stalk your favourite players on Instagram so you can use their training tips, and Tea vs Coffee: what’s the best pre-match caffeine?
Don’t forget we want to hear from you! Should our 2016/17 wish list be EIGHTY-TWO things we’d like to see? Tweet us your suggestions@FourFourTwo.
The September 2016 issue of FourFourTwo was brought to you by Nemanja Vidic, Gordon Banks, Nathan Smith, Gabriel Barbosa, Shaun Bartlett, Mark Canning, Mark North, Paul Ince, Gary Sawyer, Alex Iwobi, Sheyi Ojo, Demarai Gray, Javi Martinez, Brendan Galloway, Neymar, Glenn Murray, Roberto Firmino, David Wagner, Kelechi Iheanacho, Michail Antonio, Kingsley, Peter Barry, Paul Richards, Ian Ashbee, Damian Hughes, Brad Burton, Phil Brown, Tom Parry-Jones, James Wilson, Craig Harris, Chris Matterface, Mike Summerbee, Malcom Macdonald, Bryn Thomas, Juan Mata, Liam Holmes, Dr Rob James, Ben Davies, Karl Halabi, Jerzy Dudek.
Available from August 3 in print, on iPad and iPhone or Subscribe!
featureTue, 02 Aug 2016 11:51:23 +0000Harriet Drudge608659 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com8 times Chelsea hijacked 'done' dealsChelsea have pinched Michy Batshuayi from under the noses of several Premier League clubs, but Chris Flanagan notes its not the first time theyve swooped late to nab a deal that seemed done elsewhere...Chris Flanaganhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/8-times-chelsea-hijacked-done-deals
1. Gianluca Vialli (1996)
Even before Roman Abramovich's arrival at Chelsea, the Blues were capable of hijacking a deal on the odd occasion. Vialli was part of an influx of top overseas talent at Stamford Bridge, later going on to become the club's manager. But it was Rangers who looked set to bring the Italian to the UK in the summer of 1996, once his contract at Juventus had expired.
Gers boss Walter Smith and chairman David Murray flew to Italy for talks with Vialli's representatives before the end of the 1995/96 campaign, believing that the only competition they faced was from Parma.
"It is now not a monetary decision, it is purely a footballing matter on whether he wants to play out his career with us or Parma," Murray said.
But things changed dramatically when the Juve striker did his good turn for the year and helped the Old Lady across the road to European glory, securing victory over Ajax on penalties in Rome.
And while the Scottish edition of one national newspaper was announcing Vialli's move to Rangers, the English editions were reporting that Chelsea had taken over the deal.
"Vialli has sent me a personal letter to say he will not be signing for Rangers," Murray said. "He says he is very sorry but that he will be joining Chelsea instead. He feels he achieved everything there is for him to achieve in football when he lifted the Champions League. That victory made it easier for him to decide to move to London for lifestyle reasons. It's disappointing for us but it's not the end of the world.
"There are around 10 top strikers in Europe and we will be signing one of them." As it turned out, they didn't –not that it mattered. Even without Vialli, Rangers won a ninth successive league title in 1996/97.
2. Arjen Robben (2004)
"Old Trafford is the only place he wants to play and if he can't play there he would rather stay at PSV. In fact, he would rather play in their reserves than go to Chelsea. My son will not go to Chelsea. Over my dead body will he go there." The words of Arjen Robben's father, who is still very much alive. Robben flew to London to meet Sir Alex Ferguson in 2004 and, like his father, was impressed by what he heard. "It would be fantastic if I could play for Manchester," said the winger, then only 19. It's probably fair to assume in those days that he meant United rather than City.
Unfortunately, PSV were a bit miffed by Robben's meeting with United, as Chelsea's late interest had changed things somewhat. The Blues' offer blew United's out of the water and, lo and behold, Robben signed for Chelsea, where the Dutchman helped them to successive two league titles before joining Real Madrid. "He won't go to Real," said Robben's father, a few years earlier. "He never liked Real anyway. When we were on holiday in Spain, he only liked Barcelona.” Quite the Nostradamus.
3. John Obi Mikel (2006)
Quite possibly the mother of all transfer disputes between Chelsea and Manchester United. This time United believed they had a deal in writing, and chief executive David Gill even went on MUTV holding up a contract. As it transpired, they had agreed terms with Mikel and his Norwegian club Lyn Oslo, but Chelsea had simultaneously agreed a deal with Mikel and his representatives.
Naturally neither United and Lyn were too happy, but Chelsea claimed they had previously helped the midfielder move to Europe from Nigeria with a view to signing him at a later date. Mikel had even trained with the Blues two years earlier, although he'd also had a trial with United.
Just as Sir Alex Ferguson was considering travelling to Norway to try to sort things out, Mikel mysteriously disappeared and travelled to London, before telling the media that he wanted to sign for Chelsea.
And, after what became three-club negotiations, United eventually relented and accepted £12m from Chelsea to terminate their option on Mikel and allow him to move to Stamford Bridge. The Blues also paid poor Lyn £4m, but at least they got their man.
READ ON Old Trafford gets its comeuppance 4. Florent Malouda (2007)
Liverpool looked on course to take Malouda to Anfield in 2007, but for one crucial issue: the Frenchman didn't want to sign for them. "Benitez called me several times and he is a good man, a good trainer, but we didn't manage to find a way to make me join," Malouda said.
No, instead the club Malouda really wanted to sign for was Chelsea, they of his former Guingamp team-mate Didier Drogba. "He has been badgering me to join from the first time he played at Chelsea," Malouda added. All very well, but the Blues hadn't actually agreed a fee with Lyon.
Malouda was prepared to wait, though. Weeks later Chelsea finally offered the £13.5m that sealed his move to Stamford Bridge, and the pleading voicemail messages from Rafa ceased. Benitez later became Malouda's last manager at Chelsea and never played him once –although in fairness the winger had already dropped well out of the first-team picture by then. Malouda was back in France with Metz last season and has been in talks about a move to Indian Super League side Delhi Dynamos this summer.
5. Nicolas Anelka (2008)
Manchester United have seen a number of potential deals scuppered by late Chelsea interest, and one saw Anelka move to Stamford Bridge in January 2008. The Frenchman was in demand as he made his exit from Bolton Wanderers, and looked set to join United. Anelka told staff members at Bolton that he expected to move to Old Trafford within a couple of days, only for those staff members to be rather surprised when Chelsea announced his capture for £15m.
United had the last laugh, though. Anelka faced them in the Champions League final in Moscow months later, missing the decisive seventh Chelsea spot-kick in the penalty shootout. The striker blamed Avram Grant for bringing him on in a wide role. "I was asked to take one of the first five kicks. But I said, 'That is out of the question, I have come on as a right back'."
6. Juan Mata (2011)
On this occasion it was Arsenal who were pretty hopeful of landing a major signing, only for Chelsea to throw their weight around and secure the deal.
The Gunners first offered Valencia £13m for Mata in 2011, reportedly upping their offer to £18m a month later which would have seen the Spaniard surpass £12m Andrey Arshavin as Arsenal's record signing. Valencia rejected their offer, however, before selling Mata to Chelsea for a massive £23.5m three weeks later. It was money well spent: Mata helped the Blues win the Champions League in 2012 and was twice named player of the year before he was sold to Manchester United for a profit in a £37.1m deal last year.
READ ON He even had a Spurs medical 7. Willian (2013)
Tottenham were supposedly hours away from announcing their new £30m record signing in August 2013 after Willian underwent a medical. The Brazilian had agreed a four-year contract worth £85,000 a week and looked set to become Spurs' key man, with Gareth Bale's move to Real Madrid days away from completion.
That was until Roman Abramovich stepped in at the last minute. Chelsea swiftly struck a deal with Willian's club, the Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, and the forward hotfooted it across London to sign for the Blues.
"That's the danger of medicals before contracts, the best thing is to do the medical in secret," said Jose Mourinho with just a hint of mischief, after pipping his former colleague Andre Villas-Boas to the signing.
The hijacked deal inspired a terrace chant among Chelsea fans: "They bought his flight, but Willian he saw the light, he got the call from Abramovich, and off he went to Stamford Bridge."
8. Mohamed Salah (2014)
It probably seemed like a good idea when Chelsea stepped in to snatch pacey winger Salah out of Liverpool's grasp in January 2014.
The Anfield side had been negotiating with Salah's club Basel for weeks and looked certain to eventually get a deal done.
"It was a long and fair negotiation with Liverpool, but it lasted two-and-a-half months - too long," explained the Egyptian's superbly named agent Sascha Empacher, about the dasher whose skills couldn't be flasher. "Both clubs could not agree on terms. When Chelsea contacted Basel, he was happy and took his chance. It was no financial matter."
Pretty quickly, though, Chelsea must have wondered why they bothered. Salah made only 19 appearances before being loaned out to Fiorentina, and he has now embarked on another temporary spell at Roma.
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featureThu, 30 Jun 2016 09:53:09 +0000Joe Brewin439965 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com7 players who could sink under Mourinho... and 6 who'll thriveJoses brand of faster attacking football wont suit every member of a squad assembled by the possession-obsessed Louis van Gaal, writes Alex Keble. And you can have your say too...Alex Keblehttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/7-players-who-could-sink-under-mourinho-and-6-wholl-thrive
There is a pleasing Hollywood grandeur to the way in which both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have finally – after years of speculation – converged in Manchester. Arriving at the same time and in the same city, their rivalry has been reignited at clubs in almost symmetrical situations; both have depleted squads, and both have virtually unlimited transfer budgets.
But while Guardiola embarks on a summer of intense tactical reprogramming, Mourinho may find that this Manchester United group are surprisingly well prepared for his brand of swift counter-attacking football.
Mourinho is often regarding as a purely negative tactician, but his achievements at Chelsea and Real Madrid clearly reject this notion; his incisive counter-attacking style is more closely aligned with United's attacking traditions than many have assumed, which should favour the younger players in the side.
However, the tactical shift won't necessarily dictate which players flourish and which flounder. Mourinho expects the character that Louis van Gaal attempted to build, which means that many of United’s recent signings could have a bright future under the Portuguese coach.
Juan Mata
The most obvious loser is United’s Spanish playmaker, who left Chelsea just six months into the Mourinho regime after starting 11 matches in the 2013/14 season. Mata was singled out for criticism in September 2013 for not working hard enough defensively; as Eden Hazard will attest, Mourinho will punish any attacker unwilling to follow orders and track back.
Counterintuitively, Mata’s best performances for United this season act as further evidence that he will not be wanted by the new manager; the Spaniard has been most effective when cutting infield from the right flank to become a floating playmaker, but this sort of positional drifting would infuriate Jose.
Ashley Young
There’s little chance Mourinho will trust Young as a full-back, although on the bright side he won’t trust him as a backup striker, either. Young’s continued presence in the United first team was largely because Van Gaal had left himself with few other options, although the speed with which Young adapted to new positions suggests intelligence and discipline. This could save him, but the fact he's now 30 and among the least effective wingers at the club means it probably won’t.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
The German has endured a difficult time in England. Slowed by persistent injury, Schweinsteiger has failed to adapt to the speed and intensity of English football; given that Mourinho lost his job in December thanks largely to the tepid performances of his central midfielders, he will have little time for meandering players who are past their peak.
Michael Carrick
Although his intelligence and leadership will earn him the respect of the incoming manager, Carrick’s low-tempo, elegant passing style is not suited to the furious, blood-and-thunder tactics set to be instigated at Old Trafford.
Traditionally, Mourinho has played a powerful defensive midfielder alongside a more energetic, box-to-box presser at the base of midfield, and unfortunately Carrick is somewhere in between the two. At 34, he may be better suited to a coaching role at United soon.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Timothy Fosu-Mensah Guillermo Varela
Van Gaal handed 14 academy players their United debut while in charge of the club, but most won't feature again under Mourinho. Unlike Van Gaal, Jose holds the Machiavellian belief that a team should try to win at all costs; the ultimate pragmatist, he rarely nurtures for the future or broadens his perspective beyond the next match and the next three points.
Borthwick-Jackson has impressed the most of these three youngsters, but Mourinho likes to keep his back four consistent and indulges in minimal squad rotation. Luke Shaw will hold down the left-back spot long-term, leaving Borthwick-Jackson – along with Fosu-Mensah and Varela – to likely stagnate in the reserves.
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Memphis Depay
At 22 years old and enduring his first season outside of his native Netherlands, it shouldn't have come as too much of a surprise that Depay didn't perform well in 2015/16. It's certainly far too early to write him off as a flop.
Van Gaal’s low-tempo, possession-centric football does not suit explosive wingers because – as the opposition sit back and await the onslaught – they're not afforded room on the flanks to take on their opponents. In fact, Van Gaal reportedly told his wingers to always wait for the overlapping full-back instead of attempting to take on their man; it is no surprise that so many of United's young attacking players simply stopped listening to his instructions towards the end.
Mourinho, on the other hand, is the master of sharp and exciting counter-attacking football and, unlike Van Gaal (who once told journalists that he “does not want players to be intuitive”), the new manager will give much greater freedom to his attackers in the final third. As they pounce forward on the counter-attack in 4-3-3 formation, Depay’s speed and trickery should flourish.
Anthony Martial
Like Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Martial loves to cut inside and drive fearlessly at the heart of defence, which will undoubtedly impress Mourinho. As above, it's easy to envisage Manchester United counter-attacking menacingly via Martial and Depay. These two forwards were signed to conform to the ideology of Alex Ferguson-era United, and under Mourinho they will finally find the space, freedom, and managerial encouragement to take people on and conjure chances from the byline.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Schneiderlin should fit the industrious midfield orchestrator role that Mourinho has employed throughout much of the last decade. Similar to Sami Khedira or Nemanja Matic, the France international combines an assured passing range with a strong defensive instinct.
He averaged 2.7 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game in 2015/16, only marginally lower than Matic’s figures (3.6 tackles, 2.0 interceptions) in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign. Schneiderlin may not have performed as competently as many United fans had hoped, but he was often part of a disorganised midfield trio and in a side that – venturing forward in small numbers – rarely provided him with the opportunity to show off his defensive skills.
Wayne Rooney
Mourinho is famously a fan of Rooney and will embrace the England captain’s preference for an attacking midfield role. Mourinho expects his AMCs to work hard when the opponent has the ball, and to weave between the lines to create passing options during periods of sustained possession.
Rooney fits this description, and his recent tendency to switch the play with superb crossfield passes will be useful in sweeping the ball to the flanks as United look to counter. He should fill the same role Cesc Fabregas did during the early months of Mourinho’s second spell at Chelsea.
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Marouane Fellaini
A surprise Mourinho favourite could be the Belgian giant, who was frequently picked by Van Gaal because he followed instructions to the letter. In games against bigger teams, and when looking to grind out a win with 20 minutes remaining (or go Route One for a winner), Fellaini is the kind of player Mourinho might come to rely upon.
Fellaini's power in the air helped to create Mata's FA Cup final equaliser
Marcus Rashford
A world-renowned centre-forward is Mourinho’s top priority, but this could help rather than hinder Rashford’s development. Teenager Rashford, who might become burned out if relied upon week after week, could learn an awful lot from watching Zlatan Ibrahimovic, for example.
Rashford’s calm distribution when dropping off the frontline and clever runs into the channels are in the mould of a classic Mourinho centre-forward; with an arm around the shoulder, he should progress nicely as United’s backup striker next season.
Now your turn
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featureThu, 23 Jun 2016 16:36:49 +0000Greg Lea578494 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com8 big players who need to step it up in 2016/17 (ft. Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United stars)Its been a season to forget for some teams and players from across Europe. Abhinav Kini picks out eight stars who really need to pull their fingers out next term...Abhinav Kinihttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/8-big-players-who-need-step-it-201617-ft-arsenal-chelsea-and-man-united-stars
1. Juan Mata (Man United)
When you consider Mata was bought for over £37 million, it’s fair to say the Spaniard has been a disappointment at Old Trafford.
He’s sometimes been saved by his knack of scoring and assisting important goals (although he's only netted three and set up three in his last 25 games), but the Spaniard simply hasn’t stepped up enough when it’s really counted –especially considering Manchester United’s woes this season.
If the Red Devils do finish in the top four and Mata stays beyond the summer, he could face a fight to stay in the first team. There's another spending spree in the pipeline as United seek to mount a challenge for the title again, and he will have to take things up a notch if he's to remain a starter in his third full campaign at Old Trafford.
2. James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
It’s been nearly two years since James Rodriguez was the most-talked-about footballer in the world. Having dazzled crowds with his superb goals and standout performances at the 2014 World Cup, there was a sense in Brazil that a new world star had been born.
Fast-forward to the present day, though, and he's most frequently seen on the Bernabeubench.
It's almost two years since Rodriguez's goal against Uruguay
A move to Real Madrid may have come too soon for the former Monaco man, who has only played the full 90 minutes in three of his side's last 17 games. Rodriguez was never going to be afforded the luxury of being the main man in the Spanish capital, with former Colombia national team coach Pacho Maturana recently admitting that he doesn’t see a place for him in the Blancos' starting XI.
Rodiguez could rectify the situation by seeking pastures new, with Manchester United and Chelsea both linked with a move this season.
3. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Hazard's fall from grace has been spectacular, the 2014/15 PFA Player of the Year and driving force behind Chelsea's title-winning campaign having become a shadow of his former self in 2015/16.
A loss of confidence, niggling injuries and the destructive influence of Jose Mourinho's third season have all played a part in the downturn, but nobody could have envisaged Hazard sinking so quickly when he was at his imperious best last year. The Belgian will be desperate to return to his best next term, whether he's playing his football in London, Paris or Madrid.
4. Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich)
Another player whose current situation is a far cry from what people expected back at the World Cup, Gotze finds himself in no man’s land at present.
Formerly considered one of the hottest prospects in European football, the German is in limbo at Bayern Munich, who may not offer him a new contract in the summer.
Gotze only featured in 11 games for Bayern before sustaining a ligament injury in October, and looks set to see out the season from the bench now that he's fit again. He's also got a big task on his hands at international level, with the former Borussia Dortmund man unlikely to be part of Joachim Low's first-choice XI.
A reunion with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool could be on the cards –could his former mentor revive his career?
5. Yaya Toure (Man City)
Gone are the days where Yaya Toure would consistently power his way through midfields and provide pieces of magic to turn a game in Manchester City's favour; at 32 years of age, the Ivorian is clearly on the decline.
He's still capable of scoring the odd spectacular goal, but that's often no longer enough to make up for his lack of contribution in general play. A change may be welcome for both club and player –particularly with Pep Guardiola set to arrive at the Etihad Stadium –with Roberto Mancini reportedly keen to bring Toure to Inter.
Toure scores against Arsenal
Wherever he ends up, the midfielder needs to improve on his showings this year.
6. Isco (Real Madrid)
Another Madrid player who was destined for great things, Isco has –like Rodriguez –struggled for game time this term: the Spaniard has only completed the full 90 minutes once since the end of January, and contributed only two league goals all season.
There have been question marks over his attitude as well his on-pitch performances, while he failed to step up when Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were sidelined. He could be shipped out by Madrid this summer, with Juventus, Manchester City and Arsenal all linked. If he does stay on at the Bernabeu, Isco needs to remind the club's supporters and management what he's capable of.
7. Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Fabregas is another Chelsea player to have suffered a prolonged dip this season, with the former Arsenal midfielder routinely looking uninterested and on the decline.
He was one of the Blues' worst performers under Mourinho in the first half of the campaign, and while he has improved under Guus Hiddink, Fabregas has never hit the levels of early 2014/15.
Having struggled to make an impact on games, been accused of being a defensive liability and given the ball away too easily, Fabregas's reputation has taken a hit. If he wants to be a starter under Antonio Conte next season, he'll have to hit the ground running.
8. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
When Santi Cazorla was struck down with injury earlier this season, bringing an abrupt end to a promising midfield partnership with Francis Coquelin, the blow was softened by the return of Ramsey. Or at least, that’s what Arsenal fans were hoping.
Things haven't gone to plan, with Ramsey largely underwhelming in the centre of midfield. All of the qualities that marked him out as a potentially great midfield player –namely his drive, box-to-box running and passing ability –have been nonexistent at times.
It speaks volumes that January signing Mohamed Elneny has taken his place in the Arsenal engine room already, immediately looking like a better fit alongside Coquelin. Ramsey's still only 25, but he needs to prove he can flourish in central midfield sooner rather than later.
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featureThu, 21 Apr 2016 15:02:56 +0000Greg Lea562789 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comReal Madrid's academy products: Where are they now?Borja Mayoral is the latest Blancos academy star to be touted as the next Raul. Kiyan Sobhani takes a look at what happened to some of the other youngsters who were tipped for big things at the Santiago Bernabeu this century...Kiyan Sobhanihttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/real-madrids-academy-products-where-are-they-now
1. Javier Portillo (2002-06)
Portillo is the perfect example of why fans need to keep their expectations of Borja Mayoral in check. After shattering Raul’s record of 150 goals for the youth team, the striker entered the senior setup with high hopes of becoming understudy to Fernando Morientes, Ronaldo and Raul, with a 35-yard strike on his Champions League against Panathinaikos only raising excitement levels in the Spanish capital.
Skip to 2:28
The following season, in 2002/03 Portillo was handed his first La Liga appearance and soon began to get into his scoring stride. His most notable goal was a beautiful finish against Valencia, while an equaliser against Borussia Dortmund in the 92nd minute saved Real Madrid from being knocked out of the Champions League at the second group phase.
Portillo scores against Dortmund
At that point, no one would have anticipated Portillo's success ending so quickly. He scored nine goals in 35 appearances on loan at Fiorentina and Club Brugge between 2004 and 2006, and by the time he was looking to return to the Bernabeu after his time in Belgium came to an end, Madrid no longer needed him. With Ruud van Nistelrooy, Raul, Antonio Cassano and Ronaldo ahead of him in the pecking order, Portillo's career descended rapidly.
A permanent switch to Gimnastic brought 11 goals and relegation, before a move to Osasuna yielded just three strikes in two seasons. Portillo hovered between the top two tiers in his final five seasons as professional, never quite fulfilling the early promise that had Madrid fans drooling. He retired in 2015 aged 34.
2. Francisco Pavon (2001-07)
The centre-back's name will forever be immortalised because of the ‘Zidanes y Pavones’ policy, which saw Madrid attempt to combine the signing of Galacticos with the promotion of players from the youth system. While Pavon was full of potential as a youngster, his name is now used as a moniker for defenders on low wages who simply fill spaces in the squad and help balance the books.
Pavon was actually a key figure early on in his Madrid career, with an impressive debut against Athletic Bilbao in 2001 earning him plenty of admirers. The allure quickly wore off, however, and it was soon apparent that he wasn't really up to scratch as part of a team that went on to win the Champions League that season.
Thanks to Vicente del Bosque, who has the painstaking task of trying to balance a lopsided outfit that was far stronger going forward than at the back, Madrid were able to mask the Fernando Hierro-Pavon centre-back partnership by using Ivan Helguera as a sweeper and Claude Makelele as a midfield destroyer. By suffocating opponents with their possession, Madrid were able to adequately protect the youngster and make him look better than he really was.
After three seasons he had become a bit-part player, and in 2007 Pavon packed his bags for Zaragoza in the second division. He returned to La Liga immediately as the northerners won promotion, but was immediately shown to be out of his depth at the highest level.
Pavon finished his career with Arles-Avignon in Ligue 2 in France, featuring 26 times before hanging up his boots in 2011.
3. Alvaro Morata (2010-14)
Unlike Portillo and Pavon, Morata has found relative success after leaving the Spanish giants. The 23-year-old won a domestic double during his first season at Juventus last term, as well as reaching the Champions League final after knocking out his former club in the semi-finals.
While Morata made his Madrid debut in 2010, he truly stole Bernabeu heartswith his permance in El Clasico three years later. Despite not scoring, Morata played with maturity and confidence, notching an assist and generally proving a handful for Barcelona's defence.
Madrid couldn't guarantee him a starting role, though, so the Spain international left for Juve in 2014. Morata came back to haunt los Blancos with two goals against them in the aforementioned European tie, strikes that brought back memories of Monaco's Fernando Morientes knocking Madrid out of the competition in 2004.
Morata scores against Madrid
Given that Morata has struggled for game time on occasion this term, there's still a chance he may yet return to Madrid, who have a buy-back option that can be activated this summer.
4. Ruben de la Red (2004-07, 2008-10)
De la Red’s case is a sorry one, but nevertheless deserves to be remembered. Supremely talented and boasting a high footballing IQ, it looked as if the academy product could have been the long-term solution to Madrid's problems in defensive midfield were it not for health problems.
His first goal against Valencia was a belter and he impressed in most of his 16 appearances between 2004 and 2007, but a heart condition forced him to retire at just 25, two years after his hospitalisation from collapsing against Real Union in the Copa del Rey. He remained in football, however, and is currently coach of Getafe B– the club he first left Madrid for in 2007 before rejoining theBlancos a season later.
... oh, and this lot
Esteban Cambiasso, Alvaro Negredo, Juan Mata, Roberto Soldado, Diego Lopez, Samuel Eto’o: the amount of talent formed at La Fabrica but let go by the club is enormous.
Madrid will regret allowing some of them to depart, others less so. Regardless, though, it's still a stern reminder to the Bernabeu faithful not to get too carried away about a youngster like Borja Mayoral. After all, the next turn he takes could be decisive for his career –either for better or for worse.
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featureWed, 30 Mar 2016 12:12:17 +0000Greg Lea548800 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMind escapes Mata: 4 things from West Brom 1-0 Manchester UnitedSalomon Rondons goal gave West Brom their first home win over Manchester United in 32 years. Paul Wilkes discusses what went wrong for the away side and why Baggies fans shouldnt fear for Saido Berahinos exit...Paul Wilkeshttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/mind-escapes-mata-4-things-west-brom-1-0-manchester-united
1. What’s the Mata with Juan?
Juan Mata scored the winner in midweek as Manchester United overcame Watford. The former Valencia and Chelsea attacker had been enjoying an extended run in the team as a No.10 and he started this match well, although the positioning of West Brom's central midfielders meant he had to either move into wide positions or very deep to receive the ball.
With just seven minutes gone, he beat three players before unleashing a crossfield ball into the path of Anthony Martial. For the first 20 minutes he was easily United’s most influential player in the final third, even though most of his passes were sideways as he couldn’t find space between the lines or make a final pass behind the defence.
However, it all went wrong very quickly as the Spaniard was sent off for the first time in his career, picking up two yellow cards in the space of three minutes. He stupidly stopped Darren Fletcher from taking a quick free-kick in the 23rd minute, then added another booking just moments later for a daft trip on the Baggies captain and former United midfielder.
“I asked him a rhetorical question: ‘how many red cards have you had?’ None,” said Louis van Gaal after the game. The United manager clearly felt that the player’s past history should have played a part in referee Mike Dean’s decision rather than just the two incidents.
“As a player you have to know that when you have a yellow card, then you have to take care of that,” said the Dutchman. “You can always get (another) yellow card and then it’s a red card.”
2. Baggies full-backs make life difficult
Tony Pulis’s team are always well drilled defensively and the role of their full-backs was crucial in keeping United at bay. Craig Dawson dealt superbly with Martial and caused United issues in an attacking sense as an aerial threat, while James Chester stopped Jesse Lingard from creating much on the opposite flank.
Dawson won four out of five aerial duals in the attacking third and left Martial limping after a strong tackle on the former Monaco attacker on the quarter-hour. With 27 minutes gone, he almost scored with an audacious lob from 40 yards out which sailed just past David de Gea’s post.
In the 54th minute, the Lancastrian was replaced by Sebastian Pocognoli because of injury, with the Belgian taking up his usual left-back role and Chester moving over to the right-hand side, much to the annoyance of Lingard.
The young United winger had a largely unproductive afternoon, as he failed to make any successful crosses and completed only three of his eight attempted take-ons. This was largely due to Chester winning four of five tackles, with an incredible four blocked crosses. The West Brom full-back also won four of his five aerial duels in the defensive area of the pitch to confirm their dominance in this aspect.
3. United became more direct with 10 players
United easily commanded possession until Mata received his marching orders, but they found it difficult to break down their opponents' rigid organisation. A man down, Van Gaal moved Martial to the lone striker position, Lingard to the left and Marcus Rashford to the right. This was because the Frenchman is better at holding up the ball and bringing others into play.
“Rashford was not in the match, therefore I changed,” Van Gaal toldFFTin the post-match press conference. “I thought that when we play with one striker rather than one striker and a second striker, then Martial is maybe better to play that role and Rashford went to the right side.”
With West Brom having a numerical advantage, United had to play the ball into their lone forward much earlier. Martial still took up wide positions and received the ball on the wings, but the passes into him were longer and more direct.
“I had to see how we were building up in the first phase and in the second phase, at the time that Timothy [Fosu-Mensah] was coming in we were playing only long balls,” confessed Van Gaal, which showed that the team’s directness was a natural change rather than a tactical instruction.
Martial had the team’s only shot on target when he cut inside from the left, although it was easily held by West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster.
4. Rondon shows Baggies are prepared for Berahino’s exit
Reports this week suggest that Saido Berahino will finally make his long awaited transfer to Tottenham this summer, but Pulis shouldn’t be too concerned. The youngster has rarely featured this season and although he partnered Salomon Rondon on this occasion, it was his strike partner who shone.
The former Malaga man caused problems for United’s backline throughout, due to his combination of physicality and movement. Rondon created three chances for his team-mates and buried his only opportunity of the game.
“We have looked better with Saido and Salomon, we look more of a threat,” said Pulis. “The testament to Salomon is that he never stops, he is such a fantastic lad and it was a great finish.”
He scored his fourth goal in six Premier League games in the 66th minute, from a Pocognoli cross. Rondon had time to control the ball before hitting a powerful shot on the turn past De Gea. “I need more goals and I’m happy,” the Venezuelan told TV cameras straight after the match.
Despite a recent renaissance, United have won just one of their last eight away league matches. “We have played 60 minutes with 10 against 11 and that’s always difficult I think, but we were not uncomfortable,” said Van Gaal. “We didn’t give too many chances away; one chance and one goal.”
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featureMon, 07 Mar 2016 10:20:17 +0000Ben Clark541344 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFocus: Why Mata and Sanchez will be the key men at Old TraffordArsenal should channel their attacks down the left through the Chilean and Mesut Ozil on Sunday, while Manchester Uniteds Spanish playmaker could capitalise on Aaron Ramseys defensive failings, says Alex Keble...Alex Keblehttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/focus-why-mata-and-sanchez-will-be-key-men-old-trafford
This match should fall into a fairly familiar tactical pattern. Arsenal will most likely press aggressively from kick-off in an attempt to disrupt Man United’s possession-centric football before dropping off, allowing the game to settle into a rhythm that sees the visitors attempt to pounce on the counter.
In both periods of the game, Alexis Sanchez will be key to Arsenal’s attack while Aaron Ramsey, occasionally over-committing to attack, will be a decisive factor in United’s ability to break the deadlock.
Arsenal stunned Louis van Gaal’s side at the Emirates in October by furiously hounding United’s central midfielders, racing into a three-goal lead within the opening 20 minutes.
Given that United are both physically and psychologically wounded, they will no doubt repeat this model. Sanchez and Ozil – teaming up on the left flank where the German drifts and the Gunners concentrate the majority of their attacks – will be the crucial component of this early pressure at Old Trafford.
Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian have both resumed training - the former coming off the bench in midweek - but it remains likely that either Donald Love or Guillermo Varela will deputise at right-back. Arsene Wenger will target this area of the pitch and, as Sanchez hurtles in behind and Ozil tries to pick a killer pass, it is easy to imagine United's haphazard defence crumbling early on. When the game eventually settles into periods of United domination, Arsenal will counter-attack down the same flank, using Sanchez’s tenacious wriggling to break ground. Either way, their dangers on the left should worry Red Devils fans.
Man United’s most important player in recent weeks has been Juan Mata and his creativity from central attacking midfield is a slight worry for Arsenal if the game becomes stretched; if Anthony Martial is fit enough to play up front, Mata will have more opportunities than usual to attempt the killer pass in behind.
Aaron Ramsey has been largely solid since returning to a central midfield role, but his inclination to burst forward at every opportunity can occasionally leave his team-mates exposed.
Francis Coquelin has averaged 1.3 tackles and 1.0 interceptions per match in the three games played since recovering from injury (down from an average of 2.7 tackles and 2.3 interceptions) and this is partly because Ramsey can leave the Frenchman with too much of the defensive burden. Ramsey must show greater discipline and restrain from hurtling forward on the counter-attack if Arsenal are to keep Mata quiet.
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featureFri, 26 Feb 2016 17:45:29 +0000Alasdair Mackenzie536606 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com